Laparoscopic Colectomy

The colon consists of the large intestine and the lower part of the digestive tract. There are many diseases and conditions that affect the colon, and surgery is sometimes the best option to alleviate pain and discomfort and stop the spread of disease.

Dignity Health Sacramento proudly offers our patients the option of minimally invasive surgery for colon resection, called laparoscopic colectomy, for conditions including:

• Colonic/rectal bleeding
• Bowel obstruction
• Colon or rectal cancer
• Diverticulitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Irritable Bowel Disease
• Polyps

How Does Laparoscopic Colectomy Differ from Traditional Surgery?

In conventional open surgery, a large incision is made in the abdomen so the surgeon can repair or remove the colon. Minimally invasive laparoscopic colectomy requires only a few small incisions in the abdomen:

• The surgeon inserts a small camera (laparoscope) through one incision, and the inside of the abdominal cavity is viewed on a large monitor in the operating room.
• The colon is brought outside of the body through an incision to make the necessary repairs.
• The surgeon then reinserts the colon into the abdomen through one of the incisions and closes them.
• Laparoscopic colectomy is performed while you are under general anesthesia and you will need to stay in the hospital for a few days.

Why Choose Dignity Health for Laparoscopic Colectomy?

The board-certified surgeons at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento have undergone extensive fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic techniques, including robotic colorectal surgery. This combination of skill and technology offers patients a host of potential benefits, including:

• Less risk of damaging nerves that control urinary and sexual function
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery
• Less blood loss, pain and scarring
• Less risk of infection and post-operative complications

See a Colorectal Surgical Specialist